WHO, KSrelief Sign $5.3m Deal to Fight Cholera in Lake Chad Basin
By Ali Mohammed Zanna, Maiduguri
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) have signed a $5.3 million agreement to strengthen cholera preparedness and response across the Lake Chad Basin.
The agreement, according to WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, will support interventions in Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
Janabi disclosed this in a statement posted on X on Monday, saying the agreement was signed on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York.
He said the initiative would strengthen coordination among health authorities in the five countries, while improving early detection of cholera outbreaks and enabling faster response to emergencies.
According to him, the partnership is expected to protect more than six million people across the five countries by strengthening surveillance, outbreak detection, preparedness and coordinated response systems.
Janabi said the programme would also improve access to life-saving treatment for people affected by cholera, particularly during outbreaks when timely medical intervention is critical.
“Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can cause severe dehydration and death if untreated, but timely treatment and effective public-health measures can significantly reduce fatalities,” he said.
The WHO regional director stressed the importance of strengthening preparedness and response capacities, particularly in vulnerable communities where cholera and other public-health threats continue to pose risks.
He said the partnership would enable countries to detect outbreaks earlier and respond more effectively, while improving coordination and supporting timely public-health interventions across borders.
Janabi also expressed appreciation to KSrelief for its continued support for health interventions and vulnerable populations across the WHO African Region.
He said WHO would continue to work with KSrelief to strengthen regional health cooperation, build resilient health systems and advance sustainable outbreak preparedness and response.
The agreement comes as countries in the Lake Chad Basin intensify efforts to improve their capacity to prevent, detect and respond to cholera and other public-health emergencies.
The initiative will focus on strengthening surveillance and response systems, improving coordination among national and local health authorities and ensuring that affected populations can access appropriate treatment during outbreaks.
